Terlingua Moon
Vol. 31, No. 30

July 28, 2020

By FreeBird

 “Without prayer, without faith in the Almighty, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.”  John Lewis

CORONAVIRUS TESTING ‑‑ More testing is coming to the tri-county next week — but this time, it will be oral swabs rather than nasal ones. There will be testing in Marfa on Monday, August 3 at the Marfa Visitor Center on 302 South Highland Avenue. Then, on Tuesday, August 4, there will be testing in Alpine at the North Brewster County Emergency Response Center at 102 South 2nd Street. Both sites run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. or “until testing capacity is reached,” according to local officials. A form of personal identification is required, but appointments aren’t.

ATTENTION VETERANS ‑‑ VA this month announced its commitment to extend debt relief to Veterans adversely impacted by COVID-19 to the end of 2020 by suspending certain debt collection actions.  The department recognizes Veterans and beneficiaries are still being greatly impacted by the coronavirus prompting the extension of financial relief.  VA is suspending all actions on Veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Treasury Department. This includes the suspension of collection action or extending repayment terms on preexisting VA debts, whichever the Veteran prefers.  For benefit debts, Veterans should contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648.  For health care debts, Veterans should contact the Health Resource Center at 1-866-400-1238 or https://www.pay.gov for payments.

WATER TANK ORDER ‑‑ has filled; ETA first week in August, probably sooner. Make sure your trailer is ready to roll, that you have plenty of tie-downs, and make sure to communicate with us regarding off-load points. Your balance is due on receipt of your tank(s) We ordered an extra 1,750 gallon tank to top off the load. If you want it, contact us to claim it. First call; first serve.  371-2506 *** We won't make another order until sometime in September... subject to interests.

CANYON BREW AT FAR FLUNG OUTDOOR CENTER ‑‑ Stop by for your daily dose of caffeine.  Also try our kolaches, toasted bagels, espresso, candy bar lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, and chai.  Bring your mug and save a buck!  Open at 7:00am – 11:00am, 7 days a week with quick service!

PUBLIC NOTICE – Special Meeting of the Brewster County Commissioners Court.  Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 9:30 A.M.  Brewster County Courthouse.  For details, see Agenda Commissioners Court Special Meeting July 29, 2020

FAMILY CRISIS CENTER BIG BEND ‑‑ is hosting a drive for school supplies for our client families.  Supplies may be dropped off any time during regular business hours in Alpine, Terlingua, or Presidio.  Receipts are available for any donations made, and as always, please wear a mask.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

LONG DRAW PIZZA ‑‑ Our dine in & take out hours are Wednesday- Saturday 5-8:30pm & Sunday 5-8pm.  Terlingua Ranch delivery on Wednesday’s. Call to place your order between 3:30pm-5:30pm for 7:30pm delivery at the ranch entrance across from the mailboxes. Please have card payment ready when placing your order.

THE TERLINGUA BOTTOMS GROUP OF AA ‑‑ meets every Thursday at 7:30 at the Big Bend Church in Study Butte.  The meetings are open to anyone who has or thinks they may have a drinking problem.  We meet in a group of less than five, and practice Social Distancing!  If you are ill, we respectfully ask that you stay home and call for a "telephone meeting" instead, 432-371-2073.  (you can also call with any questions...)  Leave a message and we'll get back to  you. 

HAIR CUTS WITH KACI IN TERLINGUA ‑‑ July 31-August 2. Call or text for an appointment.  Space is limited.  I am following all of the recommend guidelines for sanitation and social distancing in the salon.  Please bring your mask.  One on one appointments only.  Thanks and I look forward to seeing everyone.  325-456-5983

THE TOWN ELECTRICIAN ‑‑ Charles Turvey, Owner/ Master Electrician TECL# 31504  ME# 326558.  Local, Licensed, Insured thetownelectrician@bigbend.net  432-424-3464 (Home)  432-538-2533 (Cell)

BIG BEND COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND ‑‑ Big Bend is beloved by Texans for its beautiful landscapes and eclectic people, but the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating this region’s tourism-dependent economy and straining its limited resources.  Big Bend Citizens Alliance–a non-profit organization with volunteers from Alpine, Terlingua, Marathon, and Lajitas–started the Big Bend COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund to help Brewster County residents recover from these hardships.

Flattening the curve in the Big Bend region meant flattening the economy.  More than a quarter of our population depends on the tourism industry, which has shut down to slow down the pandemic’s spread here.  Mandatory and voluntary closures have hurt mostly hourly and tipped service workers who live paycheck to paycheck.  Bartenders, restaurant and hotel workers, tour guides, park employees, hairdressers, massage therapists, retail salespeople, artists, musicians, and college students are suddenly out of work.

To help Brewster County’s most vulnerable residents, the relief fund will give to local organizations that meet basic needs like food and shelter.  We will also give funds directly to people who fall through gaps in other programs, such as service workers who still have bills to pay while they wait to qualify for unemployment and other benefits.  More at:  http://bigbendaid.org

UNITY THROUGH ART ‑‑ The call went out to Artists of the Big Bend, and they responded generously, donating images of their work to be featured on greeting cards and offered as perks for donations.  From a high school student to those of the more experienced years; from locals to folks for whom Big Bend has found a special place in the heart, we received stunning images that are yours to keep as art, or can be sent to someone special.  http://bigbendaid.org/unity-through-art/

FLACK ELECTRICAL SERVICES ‑‑ Joshua Flack, Owner/Master Electrician TECL #31064 ME #337791 Licensed, bonded and insured 940.255.2723

DIG TERLINGUA – We do Septic Systems and Dirt Work.  Backhoe, Bulldozer, Motor Grader & Dump Truck with Operator for Hire.  Site Preparation - pads, roads & ditches.  We deliver road base, gravel, sand, etc.  Licensed for Septic System Site Evaluations & Installations - Commercial and Residential.  Whatever you need dug – WE DIG IT.  713.907.5259

ESPRESSO ... Y POCO MAS! ‑‑   Open from 7:30 a.m to 1 p.m.  SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.  Still open and still working to keep us all safe.  Please wear a mask.  We serve only Big Bend Roasters coffee.  The very best and all local.   The flavored iced coffees and smoothies are perfect for summer.. All the same great menu items!  Reubens, chicken salad, eggs anyway you like them, superb guacamole, super fresh salads and more made to order dishes.  Call ahead (432) 371-3044 for your order and we will have it ready for you.  If you want to pickup, let us know the model of your car when you call and we will bring your order out to you.

SHOT TIME LIQUORS ‑‑ This week we brought in several new products - Busch N/A is a new addition to our N/A Beers. We also have Heineken Zero as well as O'Doul's Amber and O'Doul's Lager.  Another new product this week - the new Ranch Rider - Ranch Water made with Reposado Tequila and Sparkling Water with a Twist of lime.  Super refreshing on a hot summer evening.  And last, we had the HopLark HopTeas come in.  These new delights are brewed like beer, with hops, but without sugar or additives.  These ain't your grandma's sweet tea!  All 4 flavors are in stock and cold - ready for you to give them a try.  As one might deduce, we at SHOT TIME LIQUORS are open to requests and bringing in new products.  All of these new products were requests from customers.  We figure that if they want them, someone else might like'em too!  We are open 10-9 Monday thru Saturday.  Pickup your favorite brew, some smokes and snax, grab a lucky lottery ticket and spend your change on a raffle ticket.  And as always......Drink and Drive Responsibly!

THE BIG BEND CITIZENS ALLIANCE ‑‑ will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, July 30th at 6PM via ZOOM.  We are a public charity supporting the Terlingua Community Garden, Canyon View Community Park, Terlingua Recycles, Voices from Both Sides, Terlingua Visual Arts, Terlingua Dark Sky Alliance, Terlingua Cares, and Big Bend Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund.  All are welcome to join this public meeting.  For more information, agenda, minutes, and ZOOM credentials, please email <secretary.bbca@gmail.com> with your questions.

CENSUS RESPONSE UPDATE ‑‑ As of July 26:  Our National response rate is: 62.6%;  Texas is:  57.5%; and South County is:  23%.  By now you should have received your 2020 Census questionnaire.  Please respond with your Census ID#: online at my2020census.gov, by phone or by mail.  Remember:  The next 10 years of funding and representation in government depends on population.  An accurate Census count will ensure funds for medical, food assistance, education and more.  Everyone Counts!

Send news for the MOON to terlinguamoon@gmail.com by NOON Mondays.  Find us on the web:  theterlinguamoon.blogspot.com.  

“I believe race is too heavy a burden to carry into the 21^st century.

It’s time to lay it down.

We all came here in different ships, but now we’re all in the same boat.”

John Lewis(February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020)

EARTH and FIRE Gallery in the Ghostown of Terlingua is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 1.   Wednesdays from 9 to 3.  

Thursday though Sunday from 9 to 6.

In the heat, we’ll retreat. 

We’ll be back by 4 Th-S

You deserve a bit of art to see us through these strange times.

Call 432 371 2637.  We ship!

The interpretation division is recruiting for a volunteer coordinator assistant. It’s a one year temporary position. This might be a good opportunity for a park resident or someone within commuting distance. I’m not too familiar with the partner organizations in the park, so if you would, please share with others in the community.

Volunteer Coordinator Assistant, GS-0303-05 Park: Big Bend National Park

Work Location: Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Pay: $34,916 per year ($16.73 per hour)

Expected Start: End of August at the earliest  Introduction: Big Bend National Park seeks highly motivated, teamwork oriented candidates to help coordinate a year round volunteer program. About 100 volunteers per year perform numerous duties for the park, including campground hosting, visitor information, backcountry patrols, and scientific work. 

Appointment Type: This position is a temporary full-time position for one year; it may be extended for up to 1 additional year if needed. The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday with occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work. A background check will be required. The position is eligible for federal benefits including federal health insurance.

Who May Apply: U.S. Citizens 

Major DutiesUnder the guidance of the Supervisory Park Ranger, the Volunteer Coordinator Assistant:

1.       Manages day-to-day logistics of an active volunteer program; identifies volunteer needs for the park; recruits and assists with filling positions with new and returning volunteers. Coordinates volunteer agreements and position descriptions, tracks statistics of volunteers’ hours, provides for check in and checkout of volunteers.

2.       Tracks volunteer hours and other statistics for reporting purposes, edit photos, create flyers and produce a monthly newsletter on computer software programs.

3.       Recognizes volunteers and coordinates two to four recognition events each year; organizes activities for park volunteers such as hikes and potlucks; maintains an information bulletin board for volunteers.

4.       Assists with park events and activities in which volunteers work on service projects within the park.

Physical Demands & Work EnvironmentThe work ranges from sedentary to moderately strenuous. Duties involve sitting, standing for prolonged periods, and walking and working in uneven terrain. The incumbent may be required to work extended or irregular workdays.Work is performed both indoors in an office setting and outdoors when performing duties in the park. Outside work may be performed under extreme weather conditions: temperatures range from 20 to 115 degrees F; elevations range from 1,850 to almost 8,000 feet in elevation.

For More Information or To ApplyFor more information, contact Adam Prato, Park Ranger (Interpretation) at adam_prato@nps.gov or (432) 477-1110. To apply, send a current resume detailing your work history, educational background, and any special qualifications (include years & months in the job and hours worked per week) to adam_prato@nps.gov before August 4, 2020.  Thank you.

Adam C. Prato, Park Ranger (Interpretation), Big Bend National Park